A Letter To My Son On His Birthday: Six Is A Serious Number

Six years ago I laughed you in to the world – literally. I won’t scar you with too many gory details, but I will tell you that you came into the world as I laughed out loud – a great, big loud, guffaw…. and I had the pure pleasure of pulling you up onto my stomach. I was the very first one to touch you as you were born.

You have brought me nothing but pure joy since that very first moment. Watching you grow, absorbing the world around you, inquisitive and delighted to learn, I’m reminded each day of the treasure you bring into my world.

As all mothers do, I have goals, dreams and wishes for you. I have, as you can imagine, dozens of them, but on this 6th anniversary of that laughing moment, I will limit myself to the six I wish for most.

I wish for the kind heartI see you in now to stay firmly in place. Keep it, nurture it, handle it with care. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you are too sensitive. You are the first to hold your sister’s hand when she is scared, the first to run for the ice pack when someone is hurt, the first to panic when hockey players fight because the brawling for no reason is perplexing to you. You think to tell other parents their child did well in a game. The best part of my day is the joy infused by your smile, your hugs, the tender way you put your hand on my face or suddenly say, “Mommy, how was YOUR day?” I couldn’t live without your affection and kindness.

Don’t ever apologize for who you are, for what you want, for how hard you have worked or where you are going in life. I don’t doubt you will work hard, but I can already see signs that you are quick to apologize, to back down. Don’t. You have learned this from me and I wish I could take it back. Stand your ground, be proud of you. Do not live to make others happy or to measure up to someone else’s expectations. Be Cooper. This is enough.

Be a student. Be a teacher. Learn at every opportunity. Read. Be inquisitive. Ask. And when you know something and know it well – teach others. Do not hoard your knowledge, your gifts – share them. There is inherent beauty in being both student and teacher. It is a gift to learn and a privilege to teach.

I wish you wins and losses, trophies and empty shelves. As much as I would love to see you succeed in everything you do… as much as I believe in your gifts, I must wish you challenges. For it is within the losses, the 3rd, 4th and 5th places, and the failures that your character will be built. It is my job, as your mom, to do my best to guide you through these moments. If everything was to be easy for you, you would be ill-prepared for the ‘real’ world. I promise you, life is not always easy.

Your dreams: do them. Your heart: follow it. Your family: treasure them. Your friends: be loyal to them. Your fears: embrace them and allow them to make you stronger. The money you earn: respect it. Your passion: LIVE IT.

Seek joy.Every single day, find something that makes you happy and do it. Be it big or small – an act of kindness, listening to a song you love, calling a friend, watching a ball game with your dad – it quite simply doesn’t matter. What matters is that you spend a portion of each day smiling and laughing. This is how you came in to the world, it is only fitting that keep the tradition going.

And my ‘one to grow on’ – I wish to be here for each of your moments…. to keep you on track.

Cooper, you are what bliss looks like in a little boy. You are dirty and messy, you snuggle and love me. I melt when you say, “I haven’t had my hugs and kisses yet today, Mommy”. I adore that you need to be burrowed into your bed at night in order to sleep. I will never forget your need for extra light, how you still climb in to my bed in the morning (sometimes in the middle of the night) just because I’m ‘warm’.

Beautiful! Knowing you and knowing how those words came to be tears poured down my cheeks with every sweet sentiment. Your small dude is so blessed to have a mother who loves so deeply and inspires us all!

Susan Young

Just beautiful! Thank you for sharing your heart and soul with us. My “Cooper” is now 16. Tonight Danny and I sat at the kitchen table playing cards, talking and laughing. When did I blink and he grew up? Blessings to you and your family

Danielle Smith

Mia – I am so blessed to have had you in my life for so long. Thank you for being such a constant source of love, support and friendship – it means so much to me.

Danielle Smith

Susan~ I often try to picture what the years ahead will hold for Cooper and I…. and I so love picture moments just as you are describing them. Thank you for your kind words and for giving me something so lovely to look forward to as he grows.

Neegin

OHHHhh, that is so sweet and beautifully written. It really made me cry. My “Cooper” is turning 4 tomorrow and I wanted to write something special for him too, when I came across your letter. I know what you mean, my heart melts too when he says ” I love you mommy!” and hugs me. We are really blessed. Thanks for sharing and all the best wishes to you and your family.

Danielle Smith

Ohhh- happy birthday to your sweet, small dude on his birthday tomorrow! And happy day to you. Thank you for your beautiful message – wishing you both a treasure of a day. Yes – we are truly blessed.

Heathaa

Beautiful, This literally put tears in my eyes!

Danielle Smith

Thank you so very much… he is my sweet guy I’m so grateful.

Beulah Keynes

wow….its really a cute letter….really superb……i was melted by seeing tis….even we had a cute boy named BEN with age of 2.5 yrs…..giving us happy in everything….

jennifer

I found your touching letter when I went online to search for birthday inspiration. I’d like to see more moms and dads writing such letters. Would you consider letting me and others use your letter as a template for our family’s personal use only? Thanks again!je

Danielle Smith

Jennifer~ I apologize I didn’t see your comment sooner. Thank you for your kind words and yes, feel free to use it as a template I’m in the midst of writing my letter for this year and am grateful to you for your note.

Ashley

I am also a blessed mom of a wonderful son who will be six this month. Your Cooper sounds so much like my Son, a kind soul and gentle heart. Mine has this amazingly giving spirit that we sometimes have to reel in. Lol! My husband and I went to bat tonight for our son, standing before our local school board determined that our boy would be given the opportunity to stay in kindergarten another year. He needs more time to grow and mature. The vote went in our favor! I hope one day my son will appreciate the lengths we will go to do what’s best. Thank you for sharing here what it is I feel in my heart for my own son. God bless.

henrissa

Hello Ms. Danielle! I’m from the Philippines and as i was searching for
birthday articles i came across yours. And my, i was so touched! My
“Cooper” will be 20 today and i wish for him what you wished for your
Cooper, simple yet encouraging. Will you allow me to use your letter for
my son’s birthday? Thank you very much

Danielle Smith

Henrissa~ Thank you for your kind words. Happy birthday to your son. As long as you aren’t publishing the letter any where else (online, in print, etc), you are certainly welcome to share the same thoughts with your son. Best, Danielle